Mark Smith

Mark Smith

Born 2 January 1973 (Age 24 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #87)

Total appearances 59

(50 League, 3 FA Cup, 4 FA Trophy, 2 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

18 October 1997 (Away Kidderminster Harriers)

Final game:

25 January 2000 (Away Kettering Town)

Goalkeeper Mark had started his career at Nottingham Forest, although after progressing through the youth system, he failed to make a first team appearance. He joined Crewe Alexandra in 1992, and went on to make 63 League appearances in three years at Gresty Road. He achieved notoriety on 12 March 1994 when he was dismissed after just 19 seconds in a League game against Darlington for a professional foul. It was the fastest ever dismissal at the time – a record he held for over five years. He joined Walsall, but was restricted to reserve team games and left in 1997 in order to get some first team football. He arrived at Nene Park in September 1997 to replace Steve Cherry, who had been released, and join local keeper Darren Watts to contest for the No.1 position. He made his debut at Kidderminster Harriers on 18 October 1997, and quickly establishing himself as a fans’ favourite. He established himself in the first team and was an ever present in the first team (apart from a couple of Hillier Senior Cup games) for the remainder of that season. A combination of injuries and off-the-field issues meant that his opportunities were limited in the following two seasons however. With Mark Gayle taking over the number 1 jersey for a while, and then the arrival of Billy Turley, it meant that Mark had to be content with a regular place on the subs bench until he left the club in May 2000.

He went on to join Morecambe the following season, and played 42 games for them. He spent a short period (loan?) at Eastwood Town before moving to struggling Scarborough in November 2001. His first appearance for Scarborough in a 1-0 win against Farnborough Town on 24 November 2001 was marred in controversy as his registration had not been processed and he was still officially a Morecambe player. They were docked three points for the indiscretion. He is believed to have hung up his gloves after leaving Scarborough at the end of the season.

Appearances

1997/1998

1998/1999

1999/2000